Thoughts for the Day

Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.

Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

After leaving university I spent a couple of years working for an international cosmetic company as their Training Officer. Those who know me will think this is very odd since I virtually never wear make-up. In the boardroom that I used for training there was a huge table, a beautiful thing but it had been much misused. I sent out for some quotes to get it re-polished, only to find that one firm had actually carried out the work while I was on holiday. I was appalled, for it was an awful lot of money, and I half expected to have to pay for the work myself. I will never forget how my immediate boss intervened pointing out to the Directors that the job needed doing and the table now looked wonderful. I was let off the hook!

The author of Hebrews was traditionally thought to be St Paul, but doubts have been cast on this for some years, since the writing is in a very different style from his other works. Also Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans in CE 70 and there is an assumption that this has not yet happened (Hebrews 8.12)

The writer of Hebrews speaks of the active Word of God working through the Holy Spirit rather like a surgeon's scalpel. He can see all our thoughts and intentions. We can't fudge things, for He sees everything. But when we turn to Jesus, as our High Priest, He will intercede and grant us mercy.

Lord Jesus,
You lived on earth among us,
and know our strengths and our weaknesses.
You see our frailties and our good intentions,
and we ask Your forgiveness when we stray.
Help us to find our way back to You and
to ask for Your intercession and Your mercy.
Amen.